
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza announced Thursday that the death toll from nearly nine months of conflict has surged past 38,000, with over 87,000 people wounded. The ministry’s count does not differentiate between fighters and noncombatants, but many of the dead are reported to be women and children. This escalation of violence has caused widespread devastation and displacement in Gaza, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis that could lead to famine. The prolonged conflict has severely affected the 2.3 million residents of Gaza, displacing most of them multiple times.

In Tel Aviv, Israel’s Cabinet was set to convene to discuss Hamas’ latest response to a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza. This diplomatic effort aims to end the prolonged conflict, which has intensified recently, particularly with increased hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The U.S. plan involves a full cease-fire, the release of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, but neither side has fully embraced it yet. Fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah has also escalated, with Hezbollah launching more than 200 rockets and exploding drones into northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of a senior commander.

Hamas has suggested amendments to the U.S. proposal, and ongoing discussions involve mediators from Egypt and Qatar. The Biden administration has described Hamas’ response as constructive but acknowledges that more work is needed to bridge the gaps. An Israeli official mentioned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would hold additional consultations before making a final decision on any amended proposal. The complexity of achieving a lasting peace agreement is evident, given the various concerns and demands from both sides.
The phased cease-fire proposal involves several stages: an initial full cease-fire, the release of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, followed by negotiations on the terms of subsequent phases. Hamas fears that Israel might restart the conflict after the first phase without fulfilling its commitments, while Israel is concerned that Hamas might drag out the negotiations indefinitely. Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to make a “partial deal” but remains committed to continuing military actions if necessary to eliminate Hamas.
The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on October 7, targeting southern Israel and killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted another 250 people, more than 100 of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. Militants are still holding around 80 hostages and the remains of 40 others. Israel’s major offensive in response has killed more than 37,900 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza, who do not specify how many were civilians or militants. The war has caused vast destruction across the territory and displaced the majority of its population, leading to severe humanitarian conditions.